Josef raab



(Spe imens.)

J. RAAB. WOVEN PILE FABRIC.

Patented Nov. 21, 1893.

THE NATIONAL LITNOGRAPMING OOMFANY WASHINGTON. o, c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J OSEF RAAB, OF LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY.

WOVEN PILE FABRIC.

I SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 509,138, dated November 21,1893.

Application filed March 29, 1892. Serial No. 426.877- (Specimens) To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J OSEF RAAB, doctor of medicine, of Ludwigshafen, in the Kingdom of Prussia, and German Empire, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Woven Pile Fabric for Personal Underwear, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a piece of fabric made according to my invention, and Fig. 2 represents a sectional view of the same.

This invention relates to a new or improved textile fabric for personal underwear which is intended to be free from the objections and draw-backs which are inherent to the woolen, cotton and linen fabrics such, as are at present manufactured for under-vests, shirts, and other garments worn next to the skin.

The new or improved fabric acts upon the skin in a similar manner to the well known looped and pile fabrics such as are commonly used for flesh gloves, bath towels, and the like, from which however it differs in having a smooth back, the looped or pile surface which is formed of absorbent material being limited to that side of the fabric which will be next to the skin in wear and which is manufactured ashereinafterdescribed. The fabric is woven according to these improvements with a warp consisting of double and single yarns, while the Weft consists of single yarn only. The back of the fabric, which will be outside in use, is plain and woven moderately close, and the face or body side of the fabric preferably has portions only provided with pile leaving the rest of the body of the fabric plain. The pile portions may be in the form of squares, polygons or other ornamental or irregular figures, or in stripes as found most desirable.

The method of weaving such fabrics is well known and need not therefore be described here.

The closeness of the loops or pile may be varied to suit the tastes of the wearers and the season of the year for example, for winter wear the pile may be close and cover a larger total area of the fabric than for summer wear, the intermediate ground spaces being of comparatively small dimensions.

The great advantage of the use of the looped or pile fabric in the manner described, is that it contains a considerable quantity of air which acts as a non-conductor and prevents radiation. At the same time it prevents the fabric itself from resting closely upon the sk1n.

The pile or looped face is formed of absorbent material and is particularly well adapted to absorb the exhalations from the skin, and promotes the evaporation of the exhalations 1n the highest degree. Further, at every movement of the body, the pile or loops cause a slight irritation or excitement of the skin, which being of a very mild character, strengthens the external muscles and increases the elasticity of the skin.

As compared with. knitted fabrics, which come nearest to my new or improved fabric, the latter has the advantage that by the combination if the pile or looped parts, with the firm ground fabric, there is a larger heat 1nsulating layer of air around the body, which extends over the Whole area of the garment. There is an additional advantage in the fact that the separate threads of the loops or plle do not harden nor adhere together by perspiration.

The fabrics may be woven of cotton or linen as may be desired, and plain white or gray, or in colors.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

As a new article of manufacture the herein described fabric for body wear, consisting of a plain back having portions of its body engaging side provided with absorbent pile arranged in intersecting lines, leaving plain spaces, each bounded by certain of said lines of pile, for retaining air when in engagement with the body, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

Of Mannheim, Germany. 

